Thank you to all those who took the time to complete the survey, shared their story, and offered advice and encouragement.
Survey results follow the article, Depression; No Respecter of Persons featured in Christian Woman magazine in Oct/Sept 2007.
Depression: No Respecter of Persons
I will never understand why some people think the preacher and his family should be perfect. It’s a dangerous misconception that puts undue stress on an already busy family. My family wasn’t perfect. Mom and Dad married soon after they met at Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould, Ark., in the late 1960s. From the beginning of their relationship, Dad knew something was different about Mom, however, he had no idea the depth of her sickness. My mother suffered from a form of depression called manic depression, otherwise known as bi-polar disorder. In the 70s, this sickness wasn’t yet identified, and has only recently begun to emerge as a recognized illness. At that time, people may not have known what was affecting them, but they knew something was seriously wrong.
More than 19 million people suffer from day to day depression at some point; however, clinical depression as a psychological or psychiatric disorder is different than regular depression and affects more women than men.1 It can last from a few days to several years.2 Manic Depression is a mental illness that involves episodes of serious mania and depression. The disease causes a person’s mood to fluctuate between moments of extreme happiness and severe depression. It also allows the person to experience normal moods in between these extremes.3 Depression is not a new disease. One could question if people such as David, Elijah, or Jeremiah experienced bouts of depression throughout their lives.
No one knows exactly what causes this disease, but it is possible that some may inherit the tendency to develop this illness and stress could, in some people, trigger the illness. 4Mom’s stress started early. As the eldest daughter of a gospel preacher, she changed schools several times in twelve years. She married a preacher and life in her late teens and early 20s included moving to two new towns and congregations within three years, being pregnant with her first child and being apart from her own family. Within a year of giving birth to their second child, her husband was diagnosed with the terminal disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Dad died three years after his diagnosis at the age of 30. Mom became a widow and single mother of two small children at the age of twenty-eight. These stressors most likely played a major role in her disease but depression also runs in her family. Studies of this illness have shown that 80 to 90 percent of people who suffer from any form of depression have family members with some history of it.5 Chemical imbalance in the brain is the main factor for the disorder. The imbalance is thought to be caused by irregular hormone production or a problem with certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters that act as messengers to our nerve cells.6 Whatever the cause, the effects are overwhelming and sometimes disastrous not only for the person afflicted, but also for their family.
Some may ask how a young preacher’s wife could hide this terrible illness from her friends within the congregation. Usually in public, Mom was reserved and friendly. When she was on a low she would resort to her bedroom. When on a high she could take over the world. She taught Bible class, was a counselor at church camp, she served God in various ways and functions. She was a good Christian woman- when she was well. However, when she was sick she was irrational and unreasonable. She was paranoid, angry, restless and occasionally violent. Roger Thompson, a licensed psychologist with the Christian Counseling Center in Paducah, KY, explains how someone suffering with depression or bi-polar disorder can hide their illness. “It is much like one's ability to be mad and not show it or to avoid saying inappropriate things. There is a time frame wherein someone with either disorder may have the ego strength or self control to conceal any odd behaviors or to be able to explain them.”
Manic Depression affects more than two million Americans. It typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues though out a lifetime.7 Sadly, suicide is the primary cause of premature death among people suffering with manic depression.8 Instead of treatment, some turn to drugs or alcohol, which quiets the storm inside the head, but only for a short while.9 Depression is also a national problem considering it is the leading cause of disability, with annual associated costs totaling over 30 billion dollars.10
More is being done now to aid those suffering with the many forms of depression, but it is still a vastly misunderstood illness. It is also a dangerous disease. Sufferers appear normal, but feeling empty on the inside, sometimes to the point of suicide. You cannot see the symptoms like you can with measles or the flu. It is more difficult to understand. It is like the wind.11 As Christians we should be aware of the symptoms of depression and be ready to help those in need. In a 2007 survey conducted among 1,145 members of the church of Christ, I found that 30 percent of those polled had been diagnosed with some type of depression and that 50 percent had family members who had been diagnosed. This disease is affecting our spiritual and physical families at an alarming rate and sadly, there are some Christians who still believe that depression results from a lack of faith, thus keeping those suffering from seeking help. Educating ourselves is the key to helping our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer from depression.
It’s been nearly 17 years since Mom’s death and researching clinical depression and manic depression has helped me to better understand her actions and my childhood. Although at times my brother and I lived in a state of chaos, God was always with us. He sent Christians into our lives so that we would see His love and compassion and when Mom died, my younger brother went to live with a nearby Christian family. I believe that his Christian education, mission work and career as a gospel preacher is because of this precious family’s demonstrating God’s love. We have been blessed in numerous ways by our Christian family and thankful to them and God for their love for us.
When storms appear, we should turn to our Heavenly Father for comfort and assistance. Regardless of the intensity of the storm, we should always remember that no problem is too big for our God. One verse that can sustain us is Matthew 7:25 "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” As Christians we will be faced with many storms. Some may be large; others small. Some may occur when we’re children and some may draw near when we’re adults, but regardless of our age or our place in life, we must never blame God or allow our storms to keep us from Him. He is the only shelter in a storm tossed world. If we hold fast to Jesus then we can confidently say, “Let come what may for our house is founded on the Rock.”
Depression is a real illness that affects people from all backgrounds and Christians are not exempt. People dealing with mental illness need treatment and support. If you or someone you love is suffering from Depression, in any form, please seek help. For additional information regarding all forms of Depression please contact the National Mental Health Association at 1-800-969-NMHA or visit www.nmha.org
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1 Siang-Yang Tan, John Ortberg, Coping With Depression, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2004) p 16, 17
2 National Mental Health Association, NMHA MHIC Factsheet:Bi-Polar Disorder, 30 March 2006, www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/76.cfm,
3 National Mental Health Association, NMHA MHIC Factsheet:Bi-Polar Disorder, 30 March 2006, www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/76.cfm,
4 National Mental Health Association, NMHA MHIC Factsheet:Bi-Polar Disorder, 30 March 2006, www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/76.cfm
5 National Mental Health Association, NMHA MHIC Factsheet:Bi-Polar Disorder, 30 March 2006, www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/76.cfm
6 National Mental Health Association, NMHA MHIC Factsheet: Bi-Polar Disorder, 30 March 2006, www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/76.cfm
7 National Mental Health Association, NMHA MHIC Factsheet: Bi-Polar Disorder, 30 March 2006, www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/76.cfm
8 Treatment Advocacy Center, 18 April 2006, www.psychlaws.org/GeneralResources/fact6.htm
9 Thompson, Roger, Christian Counseling Center, Kentucky, E-mail to the author. 11 April. 2006
10 Tan and Ortberg, P 26
11 Thompson,Roger, Christian Counseling Center, Kentucky, E-mail to the author. 11 April. 2006
Total Survey Completes: 1145
1. Gender
Male 31%
Female 69%
2. Age
Under 18 0%
18 – 29 11%
30 –39 19%
40 – 49 24%
50 – 59 23%
60 – 69 16%
70 plus 7%
3. How long have you been a member of the church of Christ?
1 – 10 years 8%
11- 19 years 12%
20- 29 years 19%
30 – 39 years 28%
40 plus years 32%
4. What is the primary role you fill in the congregation?
Elder 3%
Elder’s wife 4%
Deacon 2%
Deacon’s wife 6%
Minister 13%
Minister’s Wife 5%
Member 68%
5. What is the highest level of education completed?
High School 12%
Some College 32%
Bachelor’s Degree 34%
Masters Degree 17%
Doctorate 5%
6. Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health problem (including but not limited to Clinical Depression, Bipolar Illness, Postpartum Depression)?
Yes 30%
No 70%
7. Have you ever taken/been prescribed anti-depressant medications? (Antidepressants are used to treat depression. Examples include Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Remeron, Wellbutrin.)
Yes 43%
No 57%
8. Have you ever taken/been prescribed anti-psychotic medications? (Antipsychotics are medications used to treat Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar Disorder. Examples include Haldol, Clozapine, Seroquel, Risperdal, Geodon, and Zyprexa.)
Yes 4%
No 96%
9. Have you ever participated in outpatient therapy or group counseling due to a mental health problem?
Yes 20%
No 80%
10. Have you ever been hospitalized due to depression?
Yes 4%
No 96%
11. Has any family member been diagnosed with a mental health problem (including but not limited to Clinical Depression, Bipolar Illness, Postpartum Depression)?
Yes 51%
No 38%
Unsure 12%
12. Has any family member ever been prescribed anti-depressants or anti-psychotic medication?
Yes 64%
No 26%
Unsure 10%
13. Has any family member ever participated in an outpatient program or group counseling due to a mental health problem?
Yes 32%
No 52%
Unsure 16%
14. Has any family member ever been hospitalized due to depression?
Yes 19%
No 70%
Unsure 10%
15. All Mental Illness can be treated effectively without taking medication.
Strongly Disagree 35%
Disagree 44%
Neutral 13%
Agree 5%
Strongly Agree 3%
16. All Mental Illness is caused by biological/genetic/chemical factors.
Strongly Disagree 14%
Disagree 44%
Neutral 23%
Agree 16%
Strongly Agree 3%
17. All Depression (Clinical Depression, BiPolar Disorder, Postpartum Depression, etc) is due to weakness of faith.
Strongly Disagree 63%
Disagree 29%
Neutral 5%
Agree 2%
Strongly Agree 1%
18. All Depression (Clinical Depression, BiPolar Disorder, Postpartum Depression) is due to laziness.
Strongly Disagree 68%
Disagree 27%
Neutral 4%
Agree 1%
Strongly Agree 0%
19. Some Mental Illness is caused by demons and or evil spirits.
Strongly Disagree 37%
Disagree 22%
Neutral 21%
Agree 17%
Strongly Agree 3%
20. Prayer, Bible study, and trusting in God is sufficient in curing Depression.
Strongly Disagree 24%
Disagree 49%
Neutral 16%
Agree 8%
Strongly Agree 3%
21. Depression is a choice.
Strongly Disagree 45%
Disagree 38%
Neutral 11%
Agree 5%
Strongly Agree 1%
22. Mental illness should be talked about openly.
Strongly Disagree 0%
Disagree 2%
Neutral 13%
Agree 51%
Strongly Agree 33%
23. My congregation offers a support group for Christians with Depression.
Yes 11%
No 89%
